2014 NFL Mock Draft: James Christensen (Final)

This 2014 NFL Mock Draft will be the final one of the season here at NEPatriotsDraft.com and marks the longest pre-draft season in history. It is finally here. Draft day. Eat your pancakes.

FINAL MOCK – Updated 5/8

1) Houston Texans- Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina

Clowney is a freak athlete that—alongside JJ Watt—will be a terror for AFC South offenses. He will be fun to watch when playing up to his ability.

2) St. Louis Rams - Jake Matthews OT Texas A&ampM

If the Rams trade back here, they should target Matthews, one of the safest picks in the whole draft, to anchor their line for the next 10 years.

3) Jacksonville Jaguars – Khalil Mack DE/LB Buffalo

Sammy Watkins will be tempting, but you can’t go wrong adding a player like Khalil Mack. He plays the game at full speed and can help you win in so many different ways.

4) Cleveland Browns - Mike Evans WR Texas A&M

Taller, longer and a better jumper than Alshon Jeffrey, Mike Evans and Josh Gordon are going to be the best receiver duo in the NFL, provided they keep their heads on straight.

5) Oakland Raiders - Sammy Watkins WR Clemson

The Raiders have so many holes that they really can’t go wrong. If they eschew a lineman, adding Watkins is the best way to help their offense.

6) Atlanta Falcons - Greg Robinson OT Auburn

The Falcons are not shy about trading up. If they can go get the mammoth Greg Robinson, I think they’ll pull the trigger.

7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M

Tampa Bay may have to trade up, but they will make a splash with Johnny Manziel. Pair him with Vincent Jackson—his new Mike Evans—and let him do his thing.

8) Minnesota Vikings – Aaron Donald DL Pittsburgh

The Vikings need to hit on their first-round pick and Aaron Donald is a safe pick that has a lot of upside in the middle of the defensive line.

9) Buffalo Bills – Taylor Lewan OT Michigan

The Bills have needs at a lot of positions, but they won’t get an offensive lineman the caliber of Lewan later in the draft.

10) Detroit Lions – Justin Gilbert CB Oklahoma State

I’m not a big fan of Gilbert, but the Lions do have a need at corner. Detroit could easily overdraft him here.

11) Tennessee Titans – Blake Bortles QB Central Florida

I really have no idea where Bortles ends up, but Ken Whisenhunt seems like he would be a fan.

12) New York Giants - Zack Martin OL Notre Dame

Martin is the perhaps the most versatile lineman in this draft and could even go higher than #12. The Giants could plug him in at nearly any position.

13) St. Louis Rams – Ha Ha Clinton-Dix SAF Alabama

Like Gilbert, I’m not a huge Clinton-Dix fan. That said, I’ve heard that the Rams are enamored with his game.

14) Chicago Bears - Calvin Pryor SAF Louisville

The Bears need an eraser in the defensive backfield and Calvin Pryor can be that guy. He hits like a truck and has enough coverage ability to avoid being a liability.

15) Pittsburgh Steelers - Kyle Fuller CB Virginia Tech

The Steelers’ corners aren’t getting any younger. Fuller provides some youth at the position and will create some turnovers for Mike Tomlin’s defense.

16) Dallas Cowboys - Tim Jernigan DL Florida State

Anthony Barr and Ryan Shazier were nearly the picks here, but Jernigan provides the beef in the middle that the Cowboys will need—both now and in the future.

17) Baltimore Ravens – Eric Ebron TE North Carolina

Ebron—along with Dennis Pitta—would give Joe Flacco two of the better receiving tight ends in the AFC. Flacco needs the help.

18) New York Jets - Odell Beckham Jr. WR LSU

The Jets might have to trade up a bit to land Beckham, but what he’d bring to the table—a receiver with no true weaknesses—would be invaluable to Geno Smith.

19) Miami Dolphins - Ja’Wuan James OL Tennessee

Cyrus Kouandjio makes a lot of sense here as well, but James’ health beats out Kouandjio’s upside. James had a very good season for an underperforming Volunteer squad.

20) Arizona Cardinals – Anthony Barr LB UCLA

Barr is a tough prospect to project—his raw talent is immense—but if the Cardinals don’t want to invest in a quarterback, than his upside is too hard to pass up on here.

21) Green Bay Packers – CJ Mosley LB Alabama

Unless Mosley’s medicals don’t pan out—very possible—I’m not sure there is a better fit in the draft than the pairing of the Packers and this linebacker.

22) Philadelphia Eagles – Marqise Lee WR USC

Marqise Lee can’t replace Desean Jackson the player, but he can certainly replace the production in Chip Kelly’s offense.

23) Kansas City Chiefs – Brandin Cooks WR Oregon State

St. Louis gets Tavon Austin, but the Chiefs may have one-upped them with Cooks. He is a waterbug that excels with the ball in his hands.

24) Cincinnati Bengals – Jason Verrett CB TCU

An injury might scare some teams off, but—despite his size—Verrett is one of the best corners in this class. His technique is unmatched in this group.

25) San Diego Chargers – Darqueze Dennard CB Michigan State

The Chargers’ secondary left a lot to be desired in 2013. Dennard brings some toughness and tenacity that should shore up the position in 2014.

26) Cleveland Browns – Derek Carr QB Fresno State

Paired with Evans, Gordon and Jordan Cameron, Carr could find success as a rookie for a new-look Cleveland team.

27) New Orleans Saints – Ryan Shazier LB Ohio State

Shazier’s athleticism is just too rare to pass up on here. Put him in a Rob Ryan defense and let him shine.

28) Carolina Panthers – Joel Bitonio OL Carolina

Bitonio offers some athleticism and versatility for a team that has needs all over their offensive line. The Panthers could also use a receiver here if one falls into their lap.

29) New England Patriots - Dominique Easley DL Florida

Easley is a disruptor. With the defensive backfield ready to go, the Patriots just need a little more pass rush to put them over the top. With medicals reportedly looking strong on both of Easley’s knees, this is a no-brainer.

30) San Francisco 49ers - Cody Latimer WR Indiana

If the 49ers can’t trade up, Latimer makes a lot of sense for a team needing another weapon for Colin Kaepernick.

31) Denver Broncos – Ra’Shede Hageman DL Minnesota

Hageman has some serious “Boom” potential, but could just as easily “Bust”. Paired with the Broncos defensive linemen, he could have a big impact as a rookie.

32) Seattle Seahawks - Demarcus Lawrence DE Boise State

Lawrence gives the Seahawks another talented pass-rusher to complement their stout defensive backfield.

With all the talent in this draft class I find it hard to believe the Pats will be taking Easley with the 29th pick…maybe if he’s there in the middle of the 3rd, but the guy has had 2 knee surgeries already. That’s too high a risk for such a loaded draft when they may be able to trade back and get 2 healthy players. It makes no sense, or very little sense. At least take one healthy player if they stay at 29.
I was thinking Hageman back in November so I’m sticking with my guess, and that’s all it is: a guess. I feel that trading back this year in particular makes all the sense in the world and it’s really what I’m hoping for.
I’ll say this: whoever it was that made the call on Collins I want making the decisions this year on these pick; assuming it wasn’t Bill. He’s a star, if not a superstar in the making….increase your odds and go for athletic football players like him, but more of them….more picks.

I understand the “medial clearance” thing also…if his knees are given the ok via the physical etc…but, that doesn’t mean the injuries aren’t a factor still. I think this is the flaw in your thinking. You feel that if the staff gives the “ok” then it’s a clean bill of health so he’s fair game or equal to other players who haven’t suffered injuries to their knees. That’s not the case. That’s more the language we hear as fans from teams when existing players are injured and “cleared” by medical…meaning they’re ok to get back on the field. Big difference between that scenario and actually using a 1st rounder in a loaded draft to take a guy who has had the injuries…healed or not. There’s a propensity for those knees to be re-injured…fact! Especially when you consider his position and that he’s and undersized D-lineman who relies on quicks, bending, bull-rushing and speed…cutting etc…He’s going to be at very high risk of being reinjured. If he goes in the 1st I’ll be shocked….to anyone; if he goes in the 2nd I’ll surprised because this 2nd round is like another years 1st round so you must get return on value: health a premium.

Please, please, please don’t let it be Easley. Bill could not be so reckless as to take a proven injury prone guy who in all likelyhood is going to have a very short NFL life if he can even get out of camp let alone finish a season. Please NO!

If they do…it will ruin my night…and probably my week. Then I’ll get over it…get excited with camp starting…talk myself into the whole crap about his medical file checking out…then he’ll go on IR day ONE of camp and I’ll send some hate mail to Bill for wasting a 1st on a dude who’ll be gone in 3 years when they cut him because he managed to play 3 games in 3 years and amass 5 tackles. Yup…gonna need some real strong booz to get through tonight fellas.

If the Pats end up picking at 29, I think they prioritize OL and DT(+ DE Lawrence) – have to win the war in the trenches first: Su’a Filo, Bitonio, Nix III, Tuitt and Lawrence are my most likely to get picked at 29. Potential “surprise” picks at 29 – SS Bucannon and DT Jones; if the Pats trade out of the 1st, these two are my top options to be the 1st pick in the draft in early-to-mid 2nd (just like LB Jamie Collins was last year).

DL and OL have the most entries as I think they would have at least 2 picks at those positions. LB and RB follow due to need of starter-level depth there. WR anc CB have the fewest options as those positions are nicely stacked and any players picked there are unlikely to feature much in 2014.

Honorable mention:
In the highly unlikely scenario of OL Zack Martin falling beyond 20th pick or so, I think the Pats may well try to trade up for him from that 29th spot.

Yes ( here it comes) BUT! The draft is deep in quality O-line. We don’t have to have the best OT/OG/OC in the NFL in order to do the job of protecting Brady. We do need upgrades at OC and OG and clearly there are more then enough available in this draft to do that. Other positions wher the draft is not so deep must be addressed first imo.

I do agree with that, What tangible skill separates a guard in the first round from 1 in the 6th. My point would be when he drafts in the first round is is usually a safe pick. Thats why I think one of the top guards

It will be an epic fail by Belichick if he drafts Easley in the 1st Round. I understand the talent, but those 2 re-build knees are a MASSIVE red flag. I don’t care what the medicals say. Way too much injury baggage. We’ve been down this road with Ras-I. I don’t want to go there again. PLEASE PASS ON EASLEY!!!!